Why were Parsis forced to flee Iran? Know how this country became 95% Muslim. Iran History Why Parsis Left Persia Reasons

history of persia

Persia itself was called ‘Persia’. This word was used by western countries. Its origin is linked to the region called Parsa, which was in the south-west of Iran and where Cyrus the Great established the first Persian Empire in the 6th century BC. While Parsa was a small region, Greek historians began to use it for the entire empire. Since then this name became popular in western languages. But the Iranian people knew their land by different names. It has also been called ‘Aryanam’, ‘Iranzameen’ or ‘Iran’.

Iran was the country of Parsis

About two and a half thousand years ago, Persia was counted among the most powerful countries in the world. At that time there were kings like Cyrus the Great, whose rule extended from India to Greece. His rule was not based on fear or coercion, but on justice. People had freedom to follow their religion. Parsi religion became stronger during this period. Gradually the dominance of this Zarathustra (Parsi) religion increased. Later the Sasanian rulers made Zoroastrianism the state religion. At that time this country was far ahead in knowledge, art and administration. It was considered an ideal civilization all over the world.

How did Islam reach Persia, why were the Parsi people forced to flee?

Islam started spreading from Arabia in the 7th century. Gradually Muslim armies reached here and after several wars, Iran came under their control. New taxes were imposed on Parsi people. In many places they were considered second class citizens. Gradually the situation became such that they had only two options, either change their religion or leave the country. The Parsis decided that they would save the religion, even if they had to leave the country.

Where did the Parsi people go after fleeing Persia?

The Zoroastrians first traveled to other parts of Iran with their sacred fire and religious books. When the danger increased there too, they set out to cross the sea in boats. This journey was not easy, but finally he reached Sanjan in Gujarat. India adopted the Parsis. The king of Sanjan gave shelter to the Parsis. The Parsis promised that they would respect the culture here. India’s first Parsi fire temple was built in 721 AD. Gradually the Parsis settled in different cities of Gujarat. Later he reached Surat and then Mumbai.

When did Persia become known as Iran?

At a Nowruz ceremony on March 21, 1935, Reza Shah Pahlavi appealed to foreign delegates to use the word Iran instead of Persia. For Reza Shah, Persia was a symbol of the past, while Iran was the name of the future. He felt that the country lagged behind in modernity compared to Western countries and that Persia’s image also had a negative legacy attached to it. During the previous Qajar monarchy, the country had an image of debt, corruption and decline. So by changing the name, he tried to give the country a new identity and sense of pride.

What does the word Iran mean?

The word Iran comes from ‘Arian’, which means ‘land of the Aryans’. This name is also found in the ancient Avesta texts (the sacred texts of the Zoroastrian religion). The rulers in the Achaemenid Empire called their lands Iranian. In the Sasanian period the word ‘Eran’ was used for both the empire and the people.